On Tuesday, Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bakr Karibah, urged for a stronger partnership between Iran and Cuba during his official visit to the two countries, pointing out their shared objectives, allies, and adversaries.
Karibah arrived in Havana on Monday evening as part of a three-country tour. His itinerary began in Caracas, where he met with officials from the socialist Maduro regime to enhance their economic collaboration. After Cuba, he is slated to head to Brazil for the 11th Parliamentary Forum of the BRICS Anti-US Bloc, set to take place in Brasilia from June 4th to 5th.
Upon his arrival, Karibah emphasized the importance of solidifying relations between the two nations, stating that they both have “common goals, allies, and enemies.” He also advocated for utilizing each country’s experiences to counter external pressures and sanctions from what he referred to as “haughty forces.”
“Iran has faced the harshest sanctions, yet we have persevered to maintain our independence,” Karibah remarked.
During his time in Cuba, he met with President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who expressed “great satisfaction” with the visit. Diaz-Canel claimed it would “strengthen our historical relations” and highlighted the significance both governments place on their bilateral ties in both political and economic contexts. He further indicated that Karibah’s visit symbolizes unity between their countries, particularly as both experience pressure from US imperialism.
Diaz-Canel expressed gratitude towards Iran for supporting Cuba amid this “emergency” and reiterated calls for Cuba to be removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, a list that includes both Iran and Cuba alongside North Korea and Syria.
The Cuban leader, representing Raul Castro’s regime, extended an invitation to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to visit Cuba at his convenience. Pezeshkian’s predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, had previously visited Cuba in June 2023, alongside delegates from Venezuela and Nicaragua.
Diaz-Canel condemned the US for what he termed “enhanced interference” in Iran’s domestic matters and conveyed support for the country’s controversial nuclear ambitions. According to reports from the Cuban presidency, Karibah expressed his honor to visit such a “friendly country.”
Furthermore, Karibah insisted on Iran’s policy of fostering relationships with nations that resist US influence, explaining that “global arrogance seeks to impose sanctions and manipulate media narratives to mislead public opinion.”
“The US backs the crimes of the Zionist regime, and countries oppressed by its actions must ally together,” he stated.
Diaz-Canel recalled Raisi’s visit in 2023 and mentioned Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz’s upcoming trip to Iran in 2024. He expressed that such visits are vital in strengthening bilateral relations.
“These meetings are crucial, especially given that both nations face sanctions from imperialist forces,” Diaz-Canel remarked.
Karibah’s agenda in Cuba also includes discussions with his counterpart, Esteban Lazo, and vice-chairman Homero Acosta Alvarez, along with a tribute to independence leader Jose Marti.
